City to consider contribution to hospital, hears retail coach

By HOMER MARQUEZ hmarquez@hearstnp.com

Published 3:26 am, Friday, October 9, 2015

Photo: Charles Starnes For The Herald Plainview Fire/EMS

Image 1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

Captain Matthew Blackburn demonstrates the capabilities of Plainview's newest ambulance that was delivered Tuesday. Blackburn is a 19 year veteran of PFD and a qualified EMT Intermediate. The new vehicle is an International Medium Duty that should serve Plainview's citizens for many years. less

Captain Matthew Blackburn demonstrates the capabilities of Plainview's newest ambulance that was delivered Tuesday. Blackburn is a 19 year veteran of PFD and a qualified EMT Intermediate. The new vehicle is an ... more

Photo: Charles Starnes For The Herald Plainview Fire/EMS

City to consider contribution to hospital, hears retail coach

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

"We're talking about investing money. I don't know of any better place to put it," Plainview Mayor Wendell Dunlap said to councilmembers after hearing a request to support the current Covenant Health Plainview capital campaign seeking to raise $3.5 million for the $40 million hospital reconstruction and expansion.

During the city council's work session Thursday afternoon, David Wilder, local campaign chair; Clay Taylor, hospital CEO; and Carol Terrell, hospital foundation representative, meet with councilmembers to highlight the hospital's current construction project and their progress in their financial campaign.

In order to ignite the renovation project, St. Joseph Health Systems, the parent company of the Plainview hospital, has contributed $31.5 million toward the complete remodeling of the medical facility.

Taylor said the move by St. Joseph to invest in Covenant Health Plainview was unprecedented because they did not officially own the hospital building. The building is still owned by the Hale County Hospital Authority Board.

The authority board has supplied $5 million for the project. The remaining $3.5 million is being raised from the community.

With contributions from the Mayer Foundation, Joakum Foundation and local donors, the hospital already has raised $1.2 million for the renovations.

Early in September, the local campaign representatives visited Hale County Commissioners' court and requested county officials to contribute $100,000 to the project over a five-year period, which equals out to $20,000 per year.

On Thursday, the group made the same presentation to Plainview's City Council for the same contribution.

"We're not leaving anyone out," Wilder said, noting that he has made presentations to several civic groups and community organizations.

"This hospital is very important to Plainview and is a great assist," Wilder said.

Wilder continued to explain the obvious need for the Plainview hospital and its importance to not only the people of Plainview, but to smaller area communities who rely on the medical facility.

Over the past few years, the hospital has grown in service and staff as Covenant has dedicated itself to improving its capabilities and quality of care.

"We've outgrown our facility," Taylor said.

In late July, construction began on Phase One of the project, which will feature the 11,000 square-foot expansion of the James and Eva Mayer Surgery Center and upgrades to the central plant.

"We're glad to see the dirt turning out there," Taylor said.

Central plant renovations also will include a completely remodeled emergency department to go along with the new surgical suites, patients' rooms and family areas.

By the end of the $40 million project, each facet of the hospital will be completely renovated.

Like the county commissioners, the city council seemed to support the request from the campaign. During their regular session Tuesday, the Council will vote to give the funds to the hospital project.

On the heels of hospital talk, Joseph Fackel, senior vice president of Retail Strategies, used Plainview's growth as a segue into his presentation on what his company's services can do to attract more retail business to Plainview.

"The growth of this hospital confirms Plainview's importance to the region," Fackel said.

Fackel, who has worked for the retail company since 2013, said it's that importance that will attract retail businesses to Plainview.

Fackel was invited to speak at Thursday's meeting by city administrators as they look to change the direction of Plainview's efforts to attract more retail business to the city.

With heavy real estate practices and efficient demographic data use, Fackel said Retail Strategies can play a pivotal role in bringing business and building the economy of Plainview.

"A vibrant retail sector increases quality of life of residents and visitors," he said.

In brief, he said his company would pitch Plainview to national retailers at conventions and other outlets. They will also work to overcome any objections or perceptions about the Plainview market in their pitch.

"A lot of these people have never heard of Plainview. No offense, they just haven't," Fackel said. "But you tell them that it's right in the middle of two major markets and along a major interstate and their ears begin to perk up."

Fackel said his company will determine the true needs of Plainview and work to get those needs fulfilled by bringing the right business to the community.

He added that his company works to market and bring back to life old business real estate, like the many vacant buildings located around town.

Fackel's presentation Thursday was just that, as the City of Plainview will still have some details to work out before they consider entering a partnership with Retail Strategies. One wrinkle to iron out will be payment. Fackel said normally his company works on a flat-rate cost, but they might be willing to work out a fee and a payment depending on their results.

The City of Plainview has worked with retail coach companies before, but results have been disappointing, thus prompting the meeting with Fackel.

Also on Tuesday, the city council will vote to purchase a new ambulance. The unit is needed to replace a 2006 Ford E-450 ambulance with close to 100,000 miles and serval mechanical issues. The new vehicle will be a 2016 Horton Type III medium duty ambulance with a 2016 International TerraStar chassis.

The city has budgeted $235,000 for the purchase. However, the actual cost will be $237,974 because of modifications that will be needed to comply with federal safety regulation changes that were made after the budget was prepared.

On Thursday, the Fire/EMS department brought their new ambulance that will go into service later this month. Similar to the one they are requesting, the two new ambulances will move the department's fleet to an all medium-duty classification.

The old ambulance will be sold at auction.

Also next week, the City of Plainview will hear a zoning request from Willie's Tire to build a new tire storage unit.

Three closed meetings will also be on agenda to discuss real estate, litigation, and the appointment of members to the Hale County Appraisal Board and the Board of Adjustments.